For East High Senior Kaylee DuBois, her biggest challenge thus far was also a major opportunity.

As the president of FFA, DuBois found herself with a chance to attend a leadership conference in Washington D.C. But first, she had to overcome her nerves of traveling by herself.

“Mrs. Overbay sent me to a leadership conference through FFA to Washington D.C. by myself,” she said. “I was so nervous, but I ended up making friends and I learned and grew more as a leader and a person.”

The daughter of Jason and Cadance DuBois, Kaylee is a fan of singer Emily Ann Roberts while her favorite movie is “The Notebook.” Her favorite TV show is “Grey’s Anatomy” and her favorite book is “Reminders of Him” by Collen Hoover.

In addition to being FFA President, she’s on the Cane Crew and Tennessee Smoke 4-H Trap Shooting Team.

Her favorite class at school is social studies because she likes history. She plans to go to Carson-Newman to pursue a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education.

If given a million dollars she says she’d go on a shopping spree and save what she has left for investments.

She says her mom is her role model.

“She encourages me and supports me no matter what,” Kaylee said. “She always pushes me to do my best even when I don’t believe in myself. She has made me who I am and has taught me to always be myself.”

Asked about the greatest challenges facing young people and how she would address them, she points to AI.

“AI technology for everyday life and tasks and don’t know how to accomplish things without it,” she said. “Stop relying on AI to do things for them and hopefully change the way they perceive technology all together”

Asked what she would change about East High if she could, Kaylee says the mechanics of requesting classes could use an upgrade.

“It is hard to get into the classes you want or need after your schedule has been made and given to you,” she explained.

Her advice for underclassmen would be for them to be themselves.

“Also, four years goes by fast, so live in the moment,” she said.

She says the biggest challenge facing America is social media.

“People feel as if they cannot live without it,” she said. To help with the problem, she would recommend setting limits on usage.

The most exciting moment of Kaylee’s life so far was when she got voted onto the football Homecoming Court.

“It was something I looked up to as a small girl. I always loved seeing the girls all dressed up in the parade downtown,” she said. “So, when I got to experience it myself, it made it a very special experience and one I will never forget.”